Hawks’ Brandon Browner gives in to suspension

One decided he’d had enough, while another continues his fight for what he believes is a bad result.

The NFL announced on Wednesday that Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner will be suspended without pay for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Browner had considered appealing the decision, but instead will begin serving the suspension immediately. Fellow cornerback Richard Sherman reportedly has an appeal date with the league set for Dec. 14, so he will be eligible to play this Sunday against Arizona.

Both players allegedly tested positive for an amphetamine-like substance.

“The process is going to play out how it’s going to play out,” Sherman said last week. “And when you know what you know, you just continue to be confident, continue to go out there and play.”

Browner, 28, will be eligible to return to the Seahawks’ active roster on Dec. 31 a day after Seattle’s final regular-season game against St. Louis.

He would be eligible to participate in any playoff games.

The suspension will cost Browner more than $100,000.

In his first season as a starter in 2011, Browner led the Seahawks with six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, and had a league-high 23 pass deflections.

Through 12 games this season, Browner was second on the team in interceptions (3) and seventh in tackles (44).

Browner and Sherman have combined with safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor to give the Seahawks one of the best defensive backfields in the league. Seattle is ranked No. 3 in the league in pass defense, giving up an average of 203.4 yards a contest.

“I’ve been disappointed by the whole situation,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said about Browner’s suspension. “But he had to deal with it, and we have to deal with it. So there’s nothing we can do about it at this point.”

With Browner out for the next four games, Walter Thurmond will be Seattle’s starting cornerback.

The third-year pro started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of a broken leg suffered in October 2011 against the Cleveland Browns.

Thurmond played for the first time this season last week against Chicago, replacing an injured Marcus Trufant as Seattle’s fifth defensive back in passing situations.

The University of Oregon product also has experience as a starter. A fourth-round selection by Seattle in the 2010 draft, Thurmond has started four games for the Seahawks.